NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Reno Midair

The NTSB has released the preliminary report on the investigation into the midair collision that ended the Reno Air Races last month.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 04:16 PM ET

Verified

[Courtesy of the National Transportation Safety Board]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB's preliminary report on the September 17 midair collision at the Reno Air Races confirmed the deaths of both pilots involved, flying Race 6 ("Six Cat") and Race 14 ("Baron's Revenge").
A third pilot, returning to land alongside the colliding aircraft, observed inconsistent flight patterns, with one plane flying a wider base leg and the other a tighter pattern, just before they disappeared from view.
Witness accounts and wreckage analysis indicate the collision occurred at approximately 300 feet AGL, with Race 6 striking Race 14 at about a 75-degree angle, resulting in a wide debris field and commingled parts.
The NTSB emphasizes that this is a preliminary report, subject to change, with the final findings expected in several months.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the preliminary report on the investigation into the midair collision that ended the Reno Air Races last month. Both pilots were killed in the accident that took place on September 17. The race had concluded, and both pilots were returning to land on Runway 8.

The report refers to the aircraft involved by their race numbers. Race 6, which is the North American T-6G, N2897G (Six Cat), and Race 14, North American AT-6B, N57418 (Baron’s Revenge).